The carol ships are scheduled to sail into Ladner Harbour to continue a holiday tradition this weekend.
The festively-decorated boats will set sail this Friday and Saturday, however, this year's event has a new twist.
With the annual tree lighting having already taken place at last week's inaugural Christmas Tree Festival, the Ladner Gospel Assembly choir will kick off the first carol ships night with a Christmas carol sing-a-long at the tree at the corner of 48th Avenue and
Delta Street before proceeding along Delta Street on their hay wagon to the harbour for the arrival of the carol ships.
The sing-a-long will start at 7 p.m. on Friday and last about half an hour. It will include special guests The Suspenders and a country gospel singer.
At 7:30 p.m. the choir will make its way down to the dock where the ships are scheduled to arrive in Ladner Harbour at the foot of Elliott Street at about 7:45 p.m. The Saturday procession will arrive at about 7:15 p.m. The choir will be caroling at the wharf both nights. "Ladner Gospel Assembly has been privileged to share in this special event with our community for 36 years and have found it to be a very joyful and heart-warming time," said assembly member Marie Webber.
As well, the Ladner branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will be serving hot chocolate by donation.
Christmas festivities continue on Saturday morning with the Ladner Business Association's annual Breakfast with Santa.
A Ladner holiday tradition for more than 30 years, the event usually draws around 600 people to the Ladner Community Centre for pancakes and some festive fun.
Volunteers will prepare the pancakes while VIPs from the community serve breakfast. You can expect to possibly see Mayor Lois Jackson and members of Delta council, MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay and MLA Vicki Huntington serving up flapjacks.
During breakfast, Santa will arrive in style in a police cruiser with lights flashing and sirens blaring. He and Mrs. Claus will then take to the stage to pose for photos.
There will also be Shrine clowns and face painters, and a singer/storyteller, as well as crafts with the Delta Museum and Archives.
Breakfast costs $4 for pancakes and $5 for pancakes with ham. Both options include a choice of juice or coffee.
The event runs from 8 to 11 a.m.
